CVE-2020-11604 in Samsung
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Samsung mobile devices with P(9.0) and Q(10.0) (incorporating TEEGRIS) software. There is an Out-of-bounds read in the MLDAP Trustlet. The Samsung ID is SVE-2019-16565 (April 2020).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-11604 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the MLDAP Trustlet component of Samsung's TEEGRIS security framework. This issue affects mobile devices running Android Pie version 9.0 and Android Q version 10.0, specifically those incorporating Samsung's Trusted Execution Environment implementation. The vulnerability manifests within the MLDAP Trustlet which operates within the secure execution environment designed to protect sensitive cryptographic operations and secure data processing. The Samsung internal identifier SVE-2019-16565 was assigned to track this specific security weakness discovered in April 2020. This type of vulnerability within the TEE environment represents a significant concern as it potentially undermines the fundamental security guarantees provided by the Trusted Execution Environment.
The technical flaw stems from improper bounds checking within the MLDAP Trustlet implementation, where input validation mechanisms fail to properly verify array access boundaries during processing operations. This out-of-bounds read condition allows malicious actors to potentially access memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries, leading to information disclosure or potential code execution within the secure environment. The vulnerability occurs when the trustlet processes untrusted input data without adequate boundary verification, enabling attackers to manipulate memory access patterns and potentially extract sensitive information from adjacent memory regions. This flaw falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically addressing improper input validation that leads to buffer over-read conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation within secure components can create attack vectors that compromise the integrity of the entire trusted execution environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential pathways for attackers to escalate privileges within the secure execution environment. Samsung mobile devices utilizing TEEGRIS are at risk of having sensitive cryptographic keys, secure data, or system information potentially exposed through this memory access violation. The vulnerability's presence in both Android 9.0 and 10.0 versions indicates a widespread impact across Samsung's device portfolio, affecting millions of users who rely on the secure execution environment for protecting sensitive operations. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to extract confidential information from the secure memory space, undermining the trust model that the TEEGRIS framework is designed to maintain. The implications are particularly severe given that the MLDAP Trustlet handles critical trust management operations, making this vulnerability a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise the security foundation of Samsung's mobile devices. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0006 (credential access) and technique T1552.001 (unsecured credentials), as it potentially exposes sensitive cryptographic material processed within the secure environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-11604 should prioritize the immediate deployment of Samsung security patches that address the bounds checking implementation within the MLDAP Trustlet. Organizations and users must ensure all affected Samsung devices receive the latest security updates from Samsung, particularly those addressing TEEGRIS components and related trustlet implementations. System administrators should implement monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or potential exploitation attempts within secure execution environments. The patching process should include verification that the updated trustlet properly validates all input boundaries before memory access operations. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of other trustlet implementations within the TEE environment to identify similar boundary checking vulnerabilities. Hardware security module vendors should review their implementations against similar CWE-129 patterns to ensure robust input validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper bounds checking in secure execution environments and reinforces the necessity of thorough security testing for all components operating within trusted execution spaces. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for potential exploitation attempts targeting secure environment components, as the attack surface for such vulnerabilities extends beyond traditional mobile security boundaries.